Germany says it is prepared to back an immediate European Union embargo on Russian oil, a major shift from Moscow’s biggest energy customer that could let Europe impose such a ban within days.
Russia’s energy exports have so far largely been exempt from international sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
Kyiv says that loophole means European countries are funding the Kremlin war effort, sending Moscow hundreds of millions of euros every day.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has been more cautious than other Western leaders in backing Ukraine, has been under growing pressure to take a firmer line, including from within the Social Democrat’s own governing coalition.
Germany had already reduced the share of Russian oil in its imports to 12% for 35% before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb.24, but had previously said it needed months to phase out Russian crude to lessen the economic impact at home.
Eastern parts of Germany in particular rely on fuel from a refinery owned by Russia’s state oil company Rosneft, served by the Soviet-era “Friendship” pipeline that runs thousands of miles to oil fields in Siberia.
Weaning Europe off Russia’s natural gas is likely to prove more difficult than finding other sources of oil.
Russia has demanded European customers pay for gas in roubles, which the EU rejects. Last week, Moscow cut off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. The EU ministers were meeting on Monday to discuss a joint response.
